Improvement in finger-exercisers



F. WENZEL.

impmvemen n Finger-Exercsers.

N0. BA?,

Patented Auga 13, 18?2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK VVENZEL, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IMPRCVEMENT IN FINGEREXERCISERS SPEciEIcnTroN.

FRANK XVENZEL, of city and county of St. Louis and State of-Missonri,have invented a new and improved device for the purpose of facilitatingand perfecting the n ger excreise of incipient players on the piano,organ, or nielodeon, of which the following is a specilication:

Starting from the Wellknoivn fact that the first, second, and thirdfingers are stronger and generally strike harder than thefourth andfifth lingers, the object of my invention is to equalize, by practice,the touch of all the fingers. My apparatus materially consists of a setof piano-keys, playing on a common axis, and secured in a case, which islined With velvet or cloth to prevent any sound or noise.

A groove, L, is cut in each key, wherein a sliding Weight, B, is placed,regulating the resistance of the keys in a reversed proportion to thestrength of the ngers, so that, for instance, the iifth nger has toovercome the greatest resistance of the key, the Weight B5 acting on thelongest lever. The Weights are kept in position by springs K, and smallWashers prevent the immediate contact and friction of the keys. The lidor cover E is also clothlined.

The advantage of my invention is apparent. As the Weight of the keys iscounteracting the strength ot' the lingers proportionally all the ngerswill inally, by practicing, acquire an equal touch. Another advantage isthe absence oi the annoying sound produced on the piano, &c., whenpracticing the same studies.

Now, be it known that I do not claim the application of adjustableWeights to the keys of musical instruments; but

Wha-t l claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

An apparatus for finger exercise consisting of the grooved nger-keys A,in combination with the Weights B and springs K, all inclosed in acloth-lined case, materially as above described.

FRANK WENZEL.

Signed in presence oil- G. L. HARTMAN, AUGUST THIEME.

